Respiratory syncytial virus maternal vaccination coverage varies sharply across nations, reaching 62 percent in Scotland by October 2025 but dropping to 27 percent in the United States during its first available year. A multi-country study combining data from over four million pregnancies highlights the need for targeted outreach and robust global policies.
Research led by a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and the University of Granada in Spain combined data from more than four million pregnancies between 2023 and 2025 across 16 studies to estimate the uptake of vaccination programmes. The findings reveal distinct disparities in who receives the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine during pregnancy, pointing to lower uptake among younger mothers, certain socioeconomic and ethnic groups, and individuals with reduced healthcare access.
Maternal Vaccination Rates Across Scotland, England, and the United States
Since its introduction to the UK in September 2024, coverage rates have fluctuated by region. In Scotland, the highest coverage rate reached 62 percent of pregnant women in October 2025. England recorded its peak vaccination rate of 58 percent in August 2025.
By contrast, the United States registered some of the lowest overall uptake. An estimated 27 percent of pregnant individuals received the vaccine during its first available year, which is delivered alongside other preventative interventions. According to the research team, these uptake figures are lower than for other maternal vaccines, such as whooping cough, in the same period.
Global Rollout and Population Safety Evidence
More than 30 countries have introduced the maternal respiratory syncytial virus vaccine either as a standalone intervention or alongside other preventative measures, such as infant immunisation. Experts emphasize that higher uptake is essential to maximise the value of vaccination in preventing hospitalisation and deaths in young infants.
Maternal vaccination provides babies with protection against the virus from the moment they are born. Alongside coverage data, the report provides population-level evidence on vaccine safety. Based on data from more than 16,000 pregnancies, the findings show no evidence of an increased risk of preterm birth among individuals vaccinated at 32-35 weeks pregnant.
